Wrecking Ball

The Courthouse in my town was built in the 1800s and is being torn down this month. This has been a huge controversy in our small town. Many of the people who live here, that have lived here for a long time say that it is a piece of history and that buildings just aren't made like that any more.  On the other side, some people are relieved to have it destroyed because it has been empty for 10 years and there is a new court house. The old one did not have air conditioning and any hearings held their had to be stopped every time a train went by because nothing could be heard over it!

 It is a very beautiful building, as you can see. It is huge!

The first thing to come down was the front steps, next is the tower on the top. The wreckers said that they are just going to drop a wrecking ball on it over and over again. People that live across the street have a live cam where you can watch the whole thing online.

This is what it looked like when I was there. Protesters were standing outside the front, a bunch of older women dressed in black dresses, linked arms, singing We Shall Overcome. (No, I am not joking.) Next to come down is the old high school. I am kind of excited to watch them drop a wrecking ball. I think being a small town, everyone is very sentimental about everything here. Does this happen in every small town? I will let you know how the wrecking goes!

Giveaways and Christmas

Happy New Year everyone! I spent the holidays with my relatives, which is always crazy. New Years was pretty calm though. I sat on the couch and watched the ball drop.  I don't like to do New Years resolutions because I always make ridiculous ones and never end up keeping them anyway. So this year I just want to try to think more positively, be more crafty, appreciate everything I have, and post more on here.  So in going along with that... I am going to do the 2012 challenge:

‎"Pay it forward 2012: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. 

They in turn must post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. 

The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2012. And 

don't be intimidated"

I will be doing giveaways all year. If you are a new reader, leave me a message and let me know. 

This past week, I made a pegboard display to hold all of my crafty things behind my desk. 

I used a 2'x4' piece of pegboard for the middle and cut pieces of molding that I spray painted to go along the outside. Here is a picture of it:

I haven't finished filling the board with pegs and my craft stuff because I haven't decided if I should hang it that way, or parallel to the floor. Any suggestions?

Chicago and thrifting

I am planning a weekend trip to Chicago. I have never been there and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on where to go.  I would love to visit some big thrift stores/flea markets also. I am also hoping to plan a New York trip sometime soon too. I have already done all the touristy things and am looking to find some fun artsy things.
I love to go thrifting. The rush of finding something great in the midst of all the junk is great!  Where I live in Ohio, we have at least 4 thrift stores, just in my town.  I think they are a little thrift crazy, but it's nice. It might have something to do with the 2 colleges here.  There is a glass museum and factory here, so our thrift stores have a ton of glass and ceramics.  During the spring and summer, there is also a flea market once a month.  My favorite find there was an owl TV lamp. You can see it here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87994767/ceramic-owl-tv-lantern .  Anyone else have a favorite find from a thrift store or flea market?
Betty

Sculpey Clay and Shrinky Dinks

When I was younger, my sister and I used to make little figures out of Sculpey clay and color pictures on Shrinky Dinks. Lately I have been wanting to do that. I have been seeing a lot of figures on Etsy. My favorite right now is the little gnomes here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ratbeankat
I have a slight obsession with owls and gnomes.  Anyway, one year for Christmas, my mom, sister, and I made ornaments out of Sculpey clay for everyone in the family.  They had the faces and names of everyone in that family.  I will have to take a picture of them while I am at home.  All of our extended families have since grown, and all of my cousins are having kids.  It is weird, I am the oldest of my girl cousins that has yet to have baby.

My family is pretty ridiculous.  I have relatives that think its appropriate to post super personal things on facebook....

The other day my aunt, who is in her fifties posted this:
1. I had a miscarriage when I was 22, and I still wonder who that person could have been.
2. I was a daddy's girl until my sister was born
3. I've considered prostitution as a living..don't judge, It has it's perks.
4. I've considered murder, to the point of standing over the person with a knife.
5. I've had genital piercings..yes all of them.
6. coffee makes me manic
7. I've been stalked by both sexes
8. I rarely wear anything with prints
9. I hate wearing dresses
10. I hate having my blood drawn and almost faint every time (I'm a phlebotomist)


And today my grandmother posted this:
I have a sinus problem so last night I thought I would try the Netti pot. I read 8 oz of distilled water. I reached in the pantry and got distilled vinegar and put it up my nose. Pain so bad - like eating horseradish, a lot of it. Called the nurse-on-call. She had me wash it out with water and 1/2 t. salt. It was bad all night but doing much better today. Will teach me to read the whole label.


I am pretty sure I should be worried. Does anyone else have relatives that are really out there?
Betty

Hi Guys!
I am some what new to the blogging world.  I just graduated with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and am working on my Masters in Educational Technology. I am not really sure what I want to do in life.  My passions are teaching, photography, reading, crafts, thrifting, and playing games.  I have been looking for a teaching job since I graduated, but nothing has worked out.  With my extra time, I have been doing a lot of thrifting. I love finding vintage things and fixing them up.  I started an Etsy store called The Kitschery and have been working on finding vintage things and figuring out what kind of crafts I want to put up on there.  My goal this year is to figure out how to make jewelry. Any suggestions or tips?
Anyways, I've always been told that I was a little old lady since the day I was born. I have a hard time relating to people my own age (22) but have no problem relating to people my moms age, as I sit here writing this, drinking tea, and wearing my owl pjs. I can't wait to have kids, but not until I am more prepared in life. I'd also love to move to New York. This stage of my life is really just the beginning of my adult life, but I have no idea what I am doing. So here is to a blogging journey of figuring out my life!
Betty